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including The Conductor, a special section of the Spectrum printed 4 times a year

CGSP acts on program-proposal process, Commencement participation

By Susan Trulove

Spectrum Volume 18 Issue 22 - February 29, 1996

The Commission on Graduate Studies and Policies (CGSP) approved a new
graduate-degree-program proposal process, and passed a motion supporting
master's students' participation in spring Commencement under certain
circumstances if they will finish by the end of summer.

Regarding the process for approving new graduate degree programs, it was
pointed out in the resolution that in the past proposals have come to the
commission "without clear statements that arrangements have been made to assure
the resources necessary for the program," and that the graduate dean and
provost have not always been aware that new programs are being proposed.

Under the new process, the first step in proposing a new graduate program will
be a two-to-three page rationale that includes "the need and justification for
the program in the commonwealth, region, and nation," a statement of support
from the college dean(s), status of the program and expected regional and
national status in five years, the size and composition of the student pool the
program will serve, the estimated cost of the program in the first five years,
funding sources, and the faculty's ability to support additional teaching and
research demands.

The pre-proposal will be reviewed by the college dean(s), and if supported,
advocates will discuss it with the vice provost for research and dean of the
Graduate School. It also is suggested that the pre-proposal be discussed with
Tech's SCHEV academic affairs coordinator to gain input. The dean of the
Graduate School and provost will decide whether the pre-proposal has merit and
a full proposal should be developed.

On the issue of whether master's candidates who have not finished by spring
may participate in Commencement, the commission passed a brief resolution
proposed by the Graduate Student Relations Committee. The resolution said that
master's students may request permission to participate in spring Commencement
if there is an approved plan of study in the Graduate School and all degree
requirements will be completed by the end of summer. The policy is directed
toward situations in which completion is precluded for programmatic reasons,
explained Eugene Brown. For example, the College of Architecture and Urban
Studies has a summer program for completing master's students.

Michael O'Brien had pointed out at a previous CGSP meeting that without this
exception some people will not participate in a graduation ceremony because
they will not return for the fall ceremony.

John Eaton reported that of 15 other institutions that responded to a
questionnaire regarding their practice, nine allow master's students who have
not completed all of their degree requirements to participate under special
circumstances.

Since diplomas will be handed out at the spring ceremony, it was suggested
that the students who have not truly completed could be given blank sheets of
paper. Eileen Hitchingham suggested that the Commencement publication have a
fine-print disclaimer that it is not the official list of graduates.

Students requesting permission to participate will be required to meet the
same early deadline for notifying the graduate school of their intention to
participate. The application for degree card, due March 1, determines whether a
student's name will be in the Commencement bulletin.